John S. Crowell was born in Louisville, Kentucky January 7, 1850. He started a part-time job selling newspapers at 11 years old while attending school. He was later hired at the Louisville Courier-Journal printing office and soon became foreman. His interest in publishing flourished as he traveled and met Mr. P.P. Mast of Springfield, Ohio with the idea of publishing an agricultural journal.

In 1877 Mr. Crowell moved to Springfield to establish the "Farm and Fireside." He was married to Ella C.

Mangold of Louisville, Kentucky that same year. His publishing company then purchased "The Home Companion" and changed the title to "The Ladies Home Companion" and later to "Woman's Home Companion." In 1906 John Crowell sold the company, but the plant remained in Springfield and continued to thrive.

Mr. Crowell was active in the Springfield community, serving as director of The First National Bank of Springfield, president of the board of trustees of Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, director and treasurer of the Y.M.C.A. and president of the board of trustees of the Y.W.C.A. of Springfield, among other roles. Mr. Crowell died on August 17, 1921 after two years of illness from cancer.

JohnS. Crowell is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, Section I lot 55.